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Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

29 January 2026

During the Dies Natalis of Maastricht University, Uyên Châu Nguyên received the UM Dissertation Prize 2025.

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Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

20 January 2026

Ten international health research funders, including the Dutch Heart Foundation, are investing $10 million in a new global research network to improve early prevention of cardiovascular disease in women. The initiative focuses on understanding how menopause affects heart health and how early intervention can reduce risk.

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Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Sylvia Heeneman

Professor

Sylvia Heeneman is a Professor of Health Profession Education at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), CARIM and School of Health Profession Education (SHE), Maastricht University. She studied Health Sciences at Maastricht University (graduated 1991) and completed a PhD in Cardiovascular Research (CARIM), on changes in peripheral arteries after a myocardial infarction (graduated 1997). She completed the Master Health Profession Education (MHPE) programme, Maastricht University, in 2014 (with honours).

Research in cardiovascular research: mechanisms of atherosclerosis, specifically radiation-induced atherosclerosis, and molecular imaging of atherosclerosis.

Research in health profession education: (programmatic) assessment, professional performance, portfolio and mentoring.

 

Sylvia-heeneman

Department of Pathology
Verheylaan 10, 6229 HX Maastricht
Room number: 5M1.011
T: +31(0)43 387 66 29

  • 2018
    • Fransen, F., Martens, H., Nagtzaam, I. F., & Heeneman, S. (2018). Use of e-learning in clinical clerkships: effects on acquisition of dermatological knowledge and learning processes. International Journal of Medical Education, 9, 11-17. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.5a47.8ab0
  • 2017
    • Kloosterman, A., van Dillen, T., Bijwaard, H., Heeneman, S., Hoving, S., Stewart, F. A., & Dekkers, F. (2017). How radiation influences atherosclerotic plaque development: a biophysical approach in ApoE(-/-) mice. Radiation and Environmental Biophysics, 56(4), 423-431. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-017-0709-2
    • van Hoof, R. H. M., Voo, S. A., Sluimer, J. C., Wijnen, N. J. A., Hermeling, E., Schreuder, F. H. B. M., Truijman, M. T. B., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Daemen, J.-W. H., van Oostenbrugge, R. J., Mess, W. H., Wildberger, J. E., Heeneman, S., & Kooi, M. E. (2017). Vessel Wall and Adventitial DCE-MRI Parameters Demonstrate Similar Correlations With Carotid Plaque Microvasculature on Histology. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 46(4), 1053-1059. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.25648
    • van Hoof, R. H. M., Hermeling, E., Sluimer, J. C., Salzmann, J., Hoeks, A. P. G., Roussel, J., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Struijker-Boudier, H., Wildberger, J. E., Heeneman, S., & Kooi, M. E. (2017). Heart rate lowering treatment leads to a reduction in vulnerable plaque features in atherosclerotic rabbits. PLOS ONE, 12(6), Article 0179024. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179024
    • Heeneman, S., & de Grave, W. (2017). Tensions in mentoring medical students toward self-directed and reflective learning in a longitudinal portfolio-based mentoring system - An activity theory analysis. Medical Teacher, 39(4), 368-376. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2017.1286308
    • Rademakers, T., van der Vorst, E. P. C., Daissormont, I. T. M. N., Otten, J. J. T., Theodorou, K., Theelen, T. L., Gijbels, M., Anisimov, A., Nurmi, H., Lindeman, J. H. N., Schober, A., Heeneman, S., Alitalo, K., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2017). Adventitial lymphatic capillary expansion impacts on plaque T cell accumulation in atherosclerosis. Scientific Reports, 7, Article 45263. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep45263
    • Heeneman, S., Schut, S., Donkers, J., van der Vleuten, C., & Muijtjens, A. (2017). Embedding of the progress test in an assessment program designed according to the principles of programmatic assessment. Medical Teacher, 39(1), 44-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2016.1230183
    • van Hoof, R. H. M., Schreuder, F. H. B. M., Nelemans, P., Truijman, M. T. B., van Orshoven, N. P., Schreuder, T. H., Mess, W. H., Heeneman, S., van Oostenbrugge, R. J., Wildberger, J. E., & Kooi, M. E. (2017). Ischemic Stroke Patients Demonstrate Increased Carotid Plaque Microvasculature Compared to (Ocular) Transient Ischemic Attack Patients. Cerebrovascular Diseases, 44(5-6), 297-303. https://doi.org/10.1159/000481146
    • Heeneman, S., & Driessen, E. W. (2017). The use of a portfolio in postgraduate medical education - reflect, assess and account, one for each or all in one?GMS Journal for Medical Education, 34(5), Article 57. https://doi.org/10.3205/zma001134
    • van der Meulen, M. W., Boerebach, B. C. M., Smirnova, A., Heeneman, S., Egbrink, M. G. A. O., van der Vleuten, C. P. M., Arah, O. A., & Lombarts, K. M. J. M. H. (2017). Validation of the INCEPT: A Multisource Feedback Tool for Capturing Different Perspectives on Physicians' Professional Performance. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 37(1), 9-18. https://doi.org/10.1097/CEH.0000000000000143
  • 2016
    • van der Vleuten, C., & Heeneman, S. (2016). On the issue of costs in programmatic assessment. Perspectives on Medical Education, 5(5), 303–307. Article 303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-016-0295-z
    • Donners, M. M. P. C., Bai, L., Lutgens, S., Wijnands, E., Johnson, J., Schurgers, L. J., Liu, C.-L., Daemen, M., Cleutjens, K. B. J. M., Shi, G.-P., Biessen, E. A. L., & Heeneman, S. (2016). Cathepsin K Deficiency Prevents the Aggravated Vascular Remodeling Response to Flow Cessation in ApoE(-/-) Mice. PLOS ONE, 11(9), Article e0162595. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0162595
    • van Hoof, R. H. M., Heeneman, S., Wildberger, J. E., & Kooi, E. (2016). Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI to Study Atherosclerotic Plaque Microvasculature. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 18(6), Article 33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-016-0583-4
    • Vöö, S., Kwee, R. M., Sluimer, J. C., Schreuder, F. H. B. M., Wierts, R., Bauwens, M., Heeneman, S., Cleutjens, J. P. M., van Oostenbrugge, R. J., Daemen, J.-W. H., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Mottaghy, F. M., & Kooi, E. (2016). Imaging Intraplaque Inflammation in Carotid Atherosclerosis With F-18-Fluorocholine Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Prospective Study on Vulnerable Atheroma With Immunohistochemical Validation. Circulation-Cardiovascular Imaging, 9(5), Article e004467. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.115.004467
  • 2015
    • Heeneman, S., Pool, A. O., Schuwirth, L. W. T., van der Vleuten, C. P. M., & Driessen, E. W. (2015). The impact of programmatic assessment on student learning: theory versus practice. Medical Education, 49(5), 487-498. https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.12645
    • Herias, V., Biessen, E. A. L., Beckers, C., Delsing, D., Liao, M., Daemen, M. J., Pham, C. C. T. N., & Heeneman, S. (2015). Leukocyte Cathepsin C Deficiency Attenuates Atherosclerotic Lesion Progression by Selective Tuning of Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 35(1), 79-86. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.114.304292
    • van Berlo, J., Heeneman, S., Verhoeven, B., & van der Vleuten, C. (2015). Een Mindmap-gebaseerd Portfolio ter Ondersteuning van Reflectie in een Competentiegericht Onderwijsprogramma. Tijdschrift voor Hoger Onderwijs, 34-54.
    • van der Vleuten, C. P. M., Schuwirth, L. W. T., Driessen, E. W., Govaerts, M. J. B., & Heeneman, S. (2015). Twelve Tips for programmatic assessment. Medical Teacher, 37(7), 641-646. https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2014.973388
  • 2014
    • Hanssen, N. M. J., Wouters, K., Huijberts, M. S., Gijbels, M. J., Sluimer, J. C., Scheijen, J. L. J. M., Heeneman, S., Biessen, E. A. L., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Brownlee, M., de Kleijn, D. P., Stehouwer, C. D. A., Pasterkamp, G., & Schalkwijk, C. G. (2014). Higher levels of advanced glycation endproducts in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques are associated with a rupture-prone phenotype. European Heart Journal, 35(17), 1137-1146. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/eht402
    • Gabriels, K., Hoving, S., Gijbels, M. J., Pol, J. F., te Poele, J. A., Biessen, E. A., Daemen, M. J., Stewart, F. A., & Heeneman, S. (2014). Irradiation of existing atherosclerotic lesions increased inflammation by favoring pro-inflammatory macrophages. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 110(3), 455-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2014.01.006
  • 2013
    • Borissoff, J. I., Otten, J. J. T., Heeneman, S., Leenders, P., van Oerle, R., Soehnlein, O., Loubele, S. T. B. G., Hamulyak, K., Hackeng, T. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Degen, J. L., Weiler, H., Esmon, C. T., van Ryn, J., Biessen, E. A. L., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2013). Genetic and Pharmacological Modifications of Thrombin Formation in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice Determine Atherosclerosis Severity and Atherothrombosis Onset in a Neutrophil-Dependent Manner. PLOS ONE, 8(2), Article e55784. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0055784
    • Rademakers, T., Douma, K., Hackeng, T. M., Post, M. J., Sluimer, J. C., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Biessen, E. A. L., Heeneman, S., & van Zandvoort, M. A. M. J. (2013). Plaque-Associated Vasa Vasorum in Aged Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice Exhibit Proatherogenic Functional Features In Vivo. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 33(2), 249–256. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.112.300087
    • Nergiz-Unal, R., Kuijpers, M. J. E., de Witt, S. M., Heeneman, S., Feijge, M. A. H., Garcia Caraballo, S., Biessen, E. A., Haenen, G. R. M. M., Cosemans, J. M., & Heemskerk, J. W. (2013). Atheroprotective effect of dietary walnut intake in ApoE-deficient mice: Involvement of lipids and coagulation factors.Thrombosis Research, 131(5), 411-417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2013.01.003
    • Gaens, M. E., Backes, W. H., Rozel, S., Lipperts, M., Sanders, S. N., Jaspers, K., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Sluimer, J. C., Heeneman, S., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Welten, R. J., Daemen, J. W., Wildberger, J. E., Kwee, R. M., & Kooi, M. E. (2013). Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MR Imaging of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque: Model Selection, Reproducibility, and Validation.Radiology, 266(1), 271-279. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.12120499
  • 2012
    • Hoving, S., Heeneman, S., Gijbels, M. J. J., Poele, J. A. M. T., Visser, N. L., Cleutjens, J., Russell, N. S., Daemen, M. J. A. P., & Stewart, F. A. (2012). Irradiation induces different inflammatory and thrombotic responses in carotid arteries of wildtype C57BL/6J and atherosclerosis-prone ApoE(-/-) mice. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 105(3), 365-370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2012.11.001
    • Gabriels, K., Hoving, S., Seemann, I., Visser, N. L., Gijbels, M. J., Pol, J. F., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Stewart, F. A., & Heeneman, S. (2012). Local heart irradiation of ApoE(-/-) mice induces microvascular and endocardial damage and accelerates coronary atherosclerosis. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 105(3), 358-364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2012.08.002
    • Stadler, N., Heeneman, S., Voo, S., Stanley, N., Giles, G. I., Gang, B. P., Croft, K. D., Mori, T. A., Vacata, V., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Waltenberger, J., & Davies, M. J. (2012). Reduced metal ion concentrations in atherosclerotic plaques from subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Atherosclerosis, 222(2), 512-518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.03.015
    • Seemann, I., Gabriels, K., Visser, N. L., Hoving, S., te Poele, J. A., Pol, J. F., Gijbels, M. J., Janssen, B. J., Van Leeuwen, F. W., Daemen, M. J., Heeneman, S., & Stewart, F. A. (2012). Irradiation induced modest changes in murine cardiac function despite progressive structural damage to the myocardium and microvasculature. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 103(2), 143-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2011.10.011
  • 2011
    • Hoving, S., Heeneman, S., Gijbels, M. J. J., Poele, J. A. M. T., Pol, J. F. C., Gabriels, K., Russell, N. S., Daernen, M. J. A. P., & Stewart, F. A. (2011). Anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic intervention strategies using atorvastatin, clopidogrel and knock-down of CD40L do not modify radiation-induced atherosclerosis in ApoE null mice. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 101(1), 100-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2011.09.019
  • 2010
    • Meuwese, M. C., Broekhuizen, L. N., Kuikhoven, M., Heeneman, S., Lutgens, E., Gijbels, M. J. J., Nieuwdorp, M., Peutz, C. J., Stroes, E. S. G., Vink, H., & van den Berg, B. M. (2010). Endothelial Surface Layer Degradation by Chronic Hyaluronidase Infusion Induces Proteinuria in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice. PLOS ONE, 5(12), 7. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0014262
    • Donners, M. P. C., Wolfs, I. M. J., Olieslagers, S., Mohammadi-Motahhari, Z., Tchaikovski, V., Heeneman, S., van Buul, J. D., Caolo, V., Molin, D. G. M., Post, M. J., & Waltenberger, J. (2010). A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease 10 Is a Novel Mediator of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: Induced Endothelial Cell Function in Angiogenesis and Is Associated With Atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 30(11), 2188-U382. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.213124
    • Hoving, S., Heeneman, S., Gijbels, M. J. J., Poele, J. A. M. T., Bolla, M., Pol, J. F. C., Simons, M. Y., Russell, N. S., Daemen, M. J. A. P., & Stewart, F. A. (2010). NO-Donating Aspirin and Aspirin Partially Inhibit Age-Related Atherosclerosis but Not Radiation-Induced Atherosclerosis in ApoE Null Mice. PLOS ONE, 5(9), 10. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0012874
    • Borissoff, J. I., Heeneman, S., Kilinc, E., Kassak, P., Van Oerle, R., Winckers, K., Govers-Riemslag, J. W. P., Hamulyak, K., Hackeng, T. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2010). Early Atherosclerosis Exhibits an Enhanced Procoagulant State. Circulation, 122(8), 821-U145. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.907121
    • Bai, L., Gabriels, K., Wijnands, E., Rousch, M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Tervaert, J. W. C., Biessen, E. A. L., & Heeneman, S. (2010). Low- but not high-dose FK506 treatment confers atheroprotection due to alternative macrophage activation and unaffected cholesterol levels. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 104(1), 143-150. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH09-07-0502
    • Lobbes, M. B. I., Heeneman, S., Passos, V. L., Welten, R., Kwee, R. M., van der Geest, R. J., Wiethoff, A. J., Caravan, P., Misselwitz, B., Daemen, M. J., van Engelshoven, J. M. A., Leiner, T., & Kooi, M. E. (2010). Gadofosveset-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Human Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques A Proof-of-Concept Study. Investigative Radiology, 45(5), 275-281. https://doi.org/10.1097/RLI.0b013e3181d5466b
    • Bai, L., Beckers, L., Wijnands, E., Lutgens, S. P. M., Herias, M. V., Saftig, P., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Cleutjens, K., Lutgens, E., Biessen, E. A. L., & Heeneman, S. (2010). Cathepsin K gene disruption does not affect murine aneurysm formation. Atherosclerosis, 209(1), 96-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2009.09.001
    • Lobbes, M. B., Kooi, M. E., Lutgens, E., Lima Passos, V., Braat, S. H. J. G., Rousch, M. J. M., ten Cate, H., van Engelshoven, J. M., Daemen, M. J., & Heeneman, S. (2010). Leukocyte counts, myeloperoxidase, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein a as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease: towards a multi-biomarker approach.International Journal of Vascular Medicine, 2010(726207). https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/726207
  • 2009
    • Russell, N. S., Hoving, S., Heeneman, S., Hage, J. J., Woerdeman, L. A. E., de Bree, R., Lohuis, P. J. F. M., Smeele, L., Cleutjens, J., Valenkamp, A., Dorresteijn, L. D. A., Dalesio, O., Daemen, M. J., & Stewart, F. A. (2009). Novel insights into pathological changes in muscular arteries of radiotherapy patients. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 92(3), 477-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2009.05.021
    • Lobbes, M. B., Miserus, R. J. H. M., Heeneman, S., Lima Passos, V., Mutsaers, PH., Debernardi, N., Misselwitz, B., Post, M. J., Daemen, M. J. A. P., van Engelshoven, J. M. A., Leiner, T., & Kooi, M. E. (2009). Atherosclerosis: Contrast-enhanced MR imaging of vessel wall in rabbit model - comparison of gadofosveset and gadopentetate dimeglumine. Radiology, 250(3), 682-691. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2503080875
    • Kwee, R. M., Schreuder, F. H., Mess, W. H., van Oostenbrugge, R. J., Triebels, V. H., van de Akker, L. H., Heeneman, S., Hofman, P. A. M., van Engelshoven, J. M., Wildberger, J. E., & Kooi, M. E. (2009). Images in cardiovascular medicine: development of carotid intraplaque hemorrhage demonstrated by serial magnetic resonance imaging. Circulation, 120(16), 1637-9. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.873513
    • Miserus, R. J., Herias, M. V., Prinzen, L., Lobbes, M. B., van Suylen, R. J., Dirksen, A., Hackeng, T. M., Heemskerk, J. W., van Engelshoven, J. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., van Zandvoort, M. A. M. J., Heeneman, S., & Kooi, M. E. (2009). Molecular MRI of early thrombus formation using a bimodal alpha2-antiplasmin-based contrast agent. JACC-Cardiovascular Imaging, 2(8), 987-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2009.03.015
    • Miserus, R., Dirksen, A., Suylen, D. P., Herias, V., Prinzen, L., van Zandvoort, M. A. M. J., Kooi, M. E., Dawson, P., Heeneman, S., Daemen, M. J., & Hackeng, T. M. (2009). Total Chemical Synthesis of Bimodal-Labeled Rantes as a Pet/Tplsm Probe for in Vivo Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerotic Plaque Instability. Biopolymers, 92(4), 376-376. http://gateway.isiknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=ResearchSoft&SrcApp=EndNote&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS&KeyUT=000266753100412
    • Kuijpers, M., Gilio, K., Reitsma, S., Unal - Nergiz, R., Prinzen, L., Heeneman, S., Lutgens, E., van Zandvoort, M., Nieswandt, B., Oude Egbrink, M., & Heemskerk, J. (2009). Complementary roles of platelets and coagulation in thrombus formation on plaques acutely ruptured by targeted ultrasound treatment: a novel intravital model. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 7(1), 152-161. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2008.03186.x
  • 2008
    • Sluimer, J. C., Gasc, J. M., Hamming, I., van Goor, H., Michaud, A., van den Akker, L. H., Jütten, B., Cleutjens, J., Bijnens, A. P. J. J., Corvol, P., Daemen, M. J. A. P., & Heeneman, S. (2008). Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression and activity in human carotid atherosclerotic lesions. Journal of Pathology, 215(3), 273-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/path.2357
  • 2007
Overview